Journal Journey

Memory has become one of my biggest concerns. As I travel, I don’t just want to admire what I see; I want to understand it. My interest in history and culture has grown far beyond simply appreciating beauty. I write not just for my personal fulfillment, but with the hope that one day these reflections will be shared with my daughter. Passing on what I’ve discovered, read, and experienced is another way I express my love as a mother. For me, journaling isn’t just a personal pursuit—it’s a gift to my daughter.

This post is a love letter to my journaling hobby. I keep both a digital journal (which is this page you’re reading) and a traditional one. Both serve the same purpose: they are collections of what I’ve learned from traveling, reading and experiences. Through journaling, I commit to gathering knowledge in science, history, and culture. Along the way, I collect free museum brochures, used tickets, leaves, and other little mementos. I also draw the object myself from the picture I took in my camera. This process somehow enriches me intellectually and emotionally.

I struggle with myself to keep this journal perfect. While I focus on maintaining its authenticity and educational value, I still feel frustrated with how inconsistent my handwriting is. I’m working on improving my penmanship, but it’s a slow process. Unlike what I often see on social media, I prefer not to use stickers. Instead, I cut and paste pictures from free brochures, which makes the process time-consuming as I strive for perfection. It can be stressful knowing I still have prompts waiting to be written while others sit untouched, making no progress.

That said, I’m happy with how far I’ve come. Despite the challenges, seeing the results is deeply satisfying.